Efficacy, Environmental Persistence and Nontarget Impacts of Pyriproxyfen Use against Aedes Vigilax in Australia

Abstract:
Pyriproxyfen is an insect growth regulator, a juvenile hormone analogue, widely used for the control of container and freshwater mosquito species throughout the world and is potent at very low levels. To date its use in natural brackish environments has been limited. In Australia the dominant nuisance mosquito species is Aedes vigilax which has a distribution encompassing most of the country and the bulk of control activity is focused on this one species. Aedes vigilax is a vector of Ross River fever and Barmah Forest virus which are both increasing in prevalence in Australia. Studies have been conducted on the efficacy of Pyriproxyfen against Aedes vigilax and potency at very low concentrations has been demonstrated. This paper also briefly reviews studies on the persistence of Pyriproxyfen in water-sediment systems and the possible impact on non-target aquatic organisms, specifically in relation to crustaceans.